Oahu Wedding Travel Tips
Oahu Travel Information for Destination Wedding Couples and Guests
When it comes to planning a island destination wedding, Oahu is certainly the most convenient location in Hawaii. It is the hub of the Hawaiian Islands and you can find great deals on wedding packages there. Best of all, if you are American you do not need to have a passport to travel there and there are plenty of direct flights available that go to Oahu from the mainland.
Flight Information
All major US airlines fly to Oahu’s Honolulu International Airport. The most frequent services are offered by United Airlines. American Airlines has flights from Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and St. Louis to Honolulu. The only nonstop flight from New York to Honolulu is offered by Continental Airlines. Delta Airlines has flights from Houston, Cincinnati, and the West Coast. Northwest Airlines offers daily nonstop flights from Detroit to Honolulu. It takes around 10.5 hours to fly to Honolulu from New York, 5 hours from Los Angeles, 9 hours from Chicago, 8 hours from Dallas, and 9.5 hours from Atlanta.
Honolulu International Airport is located near Pearl Harbor, west of downtown Honolulu. You can catch a rental car van, shuttle, or taxi to leave the airport. A taxi to downtown Honolulu from the airport costs around $20 and to get to Waikiki it costs around $30. On an airport shuttle it costs around $14 to get to Waikiki. Rental agencies have cars available near the airport and they pick you up with a shuttle at the curb near baggage claim to take you to the lot.
Getting Around Oahu and Renting a Car
The best way to get around Oahu is by rental car. On the North Shore there have been reports of roadside robberies in broad daylight so it’s a good idea to avoid taking buses in that area. Thankfully, renting a car in Oahu is very economical since Hawaii has some of the lowest car rental rates in the US. The average daily cost of renting a car in Hawaii is $50. You must be at least 25 years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Oahu. You will find offices for all major car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, and Hertz at the Honolulu International Airport.
Wedding Packages
Destination wedding couples can have the ceremony and reception of their dreams in Oahu. There are a wide range of locations on the island that offer the perfect romantic getaway. No matter what your budget is and what your tastes are, you will be able to find a picturesque ceremony site suitable for you in Oahu. Sands of Time Treasured Moment Weddings offers packages that range from affordable and simple to expensive and luxurious. Deluxe packages include extras such as a limo, Hawaiian vocalist, and professional hair stylist while simple packages include only the basics such as a minister and marriage license processing. Aloha Island Weddings offers completely customizable packages that are a bit on the pricy side but can include a private dinner or luau on the beach, champagne, and a massage for the bride.
The Hale Koa Resort is a budget-friendly resort that offers military discounts. The hotel is located on 72 oceanfront acres and features a beautiful tropical garden ideal for a romantic destination wedding and reception. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa is home to exquisite ceremony locations including the ocean crystal chapel, which sits in a lush garden with a lagoon and cascading waterfalls. The Moana Surfrider is a Westin Resort and Spa on Waikiki Beach. The resort was built in 1901 and provides the ultimate setting for an oceanfront wedding at sunset. The staff at the Moana Surfrider will attend to your every need and the simple yet elegant wedding packages at the resort include photography services, a vocalist, a minister, a wedding coordinator, and floral arrangements. |
